LFCHD Employee Newsletter

Each November is designated National Diabetes Month. It’s a time to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. Here in Kentucky, 1 in 8 adults has diabetes, but many more have it and don’t know it. To learn if you or someone you know may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, take a simple 60-second, 7-question risk test here at the American Diabetes Association website http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/.

November 14 is international World Diabetes Day. It’s the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over one billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight. Blue is the official color to bring awareness around the world on this day.

Here are LFCHD staff members wearing blue in support of World Diabetes Day:

Today is World Mental Health Day, and the World Health Organization (WHO) wants you to learn more about mental health conditions in adolescents. The WHO reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19 year olds. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports suicide as the second leading cause of death for Kentuckians ages 15-24. To learn more, visit the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact a mental health professional, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Dr. Kraig Humbaugh joined Mayor Jim Gray, Commissioner of Social Services Chris Ford, and Sheriff Kathy Witt this morning as the City of Lexington received a $2 million federal grant to be used over four years to primarily fund naloxone kits to be distributed by the health department. Naloxone is used to reverse overdoses from opioids, including heroin. The city will also hire an overdose prevention coordinator to get people who have overdosed into treatment, Gray announced.

Sept. 19 was National Talk Like a Pirate Day (and yes, there really is a day for everything!), and we used the trending social media topic to promote our upcoming free flu shot clinic! You can watch the video below, and it’s also on our Facebook page for anyone who wants to share it.

A very special thanks to Laura Foley and Cristina Hiten, who eagerly agreed to take part in the video! Remember, if you’re interested in being used in future LFCHD promotional videos, please contact Bailey Preston or Kevin Hall to let them know!